The engagement party had got over and we split up for the night. Rooms were booked to spend the night at the hotel. Sanskar and I were going to our rooms. I was very tired but Sanskar pulled me close to him. He leaned against the wall and held me loosely between his arms.

(Swara) “Sanskar, I am very sleepy and tired, please let me go to my room. I have to run back home tomorrow and rush for a meeting.”

(Sanky) “Are you sure you are ok?”

(Swara’s thoughts) I understood what he meant. He means the thing that happened today with mother. Come to think of it, he also saw me. My angry side. I always get worked up about small things but not that I am really mad about them but this is the first time he saw me furious. I wonder if he is disappointed seeing this side of mine. I am scared that he will start hating me.

(Swara scared but spoke with clarity hiding her fears) “Yes. She won’t be coming back with all her motherly love.”

(Sanky) “If it is so, then have a good night.” He kissed me on my forehead and started to his room.

(But he stopped as Swara started to speak) “You know, you saw me speaking to mom…………………”

(Sanky) “You know, anyone will be angry or hate their mother if they were in your situation. Look at me! Just because of rumours, I hated my mother and hurt her until I realised the truth. In your case, all I can wish for is to replace your hatred with my love. That is all I want.”

(Swara’s POV) Tears fell from my eyes. All this while, I hoped someone would understand me. I hoped someone will say that they will make up for the love I didn’t get. Though, Dadaji loved me, he said he never intended to fill the gap my parents left. He tried his best not to make me feel lonely but he never intended it. I couldn’t look at his face anymore.

(Sanky) “Shona! Did I say anything wrong? Hey!”

(Swara’s POV) He looked troubled. Despite my crying, I couldn’t help but smile. I always thought that he may not be the one for me or I am rushing into things but I am sure he is the only one who can make me feel secure. I couldn’t answer him, I couldn’t tell him these tears are not because I am sad but because I am happy. My voice wouldn’t come out. How do I tell him this? I kissed him. He held me tight. Our kisses are becoming more and more passionate. All of a sudden, I realised we were still in the hallway. I pushed him off, “Good night” and ran back to my room. I just couldn’t stay with him anymore. I would have lost my sanity any moment longer.

After our engagement we all rushed back to our routine work. Sanskar and i did get some free time and we used to talk casually. It was hard for me to understand how Sanskar had loved me. He is still patient with me and he understands me better. I am happy whenever he is by my side and sad when he has to go for work outside London. I can’t complain because he is setting up a new factory near Derbyshire. I love his dedication towards work and family. The best thing about Sanskar is he knows how to balance everything.

Then came the day of the tournament where we were all supposed to fight against each other. Varun was accompanied by Ragini because he was staying at the main house with AP mom and Ragini.

Ragini was shocked as she learnt all of Swara’s friends take this fighting tournament seriously and they also had Uniforms for these type of fight. She was more shocked because Varun was also taking part.

The fights had started , Rags and Sanky were looking. Rags hated all this. She thought that even Sanky knows Judo but he never fights like these ppl.
Swara was going to fight only in the third round; being a girl she had got this concession.

(Ragini’s POV) The matches were interesting. Usually, I am not interested in people fighting each other like savages but their fights were like those in Chinese movies, even standing still looked intense. I never thought people who learn martial arts have to fight with high concentration level. I always thought it was kick, block, hit. Sanskar did learn something but I have never seen him use it anywhere. He says unless the opponent also knows Judo it is unfair to fight them, or of course, unless it is an emergency.

For the final three matches, Laksh, Varun, Theo and Swara ended up in the finals. So now the semi – finals were between Laksh and Swara and Theo and Varun. Then the fight had started between Laksh and Swara fight. The fight between Laksh and Swara was going on strongly. He didn’t even give the slightest consideration for her being a girl. Swara did say that the guys told that if they ended up fighting with her, they won’t give consideration for her. Suddenly Laksh had tackled in such a way that Swara had flown and hit her abdomen. Seeing this Sanky and Ragini ran towards Swara and started checking her.

She had got a blood clot in the abdomen and she was chilled about it. But Ragini was very much furious. She did her basic first aid but she didn’t want to leave the place and Rags got angry.

Seeing Ragini angry, Laksh came to her and shared few insights on his and Swara’s life.

(Laksh) “I apologise for her behaviour.” He stood by me. I didn’t think that he would be apologising to me.

(Rags) “I am not going to care anymore. It is her health, not mine. This is exactly the reason why I had to take a break from the hospital and come here. A stubborn mule just like her wouldn’t accept a surgery. Said, he had lived his life and didn’t mind death. I am doctor! Of course, I would want to save you! I throw my personal issues aside when I work. I hate people who don’t care about their own body. Human life is so small and fragile to maintain.” I realised I was rambling to Laksh. “Sorry about talking about all these. Anyways, why are you apologising?”

(Laksh) “Maybe, the way she is, is my fault. She was the youngest of all of us and I being the oldest (difference between Laksh and swara is almost 6 years. Swara is 22, Sanky and Rags – 26 and laksh – 28) was supposed to take care of her most of the time. Maybe, I spoiled her.”

(Rags confused) “Most of the time?”

(Laksh) “Yeah. We, twenty two, the guys here, are very close because of our grandfathers. A very rare friendship. To think that the oldies went to same school gives us a laugh. We spent all holidays together. After her grandfather died, she had hard time settling in with her aunt and uncle. Veer Dadaji had brought her with him to stay. She was left in my charge. It was at that time I started working in the company incognito along with my college. It was hard taking care of her, studies and doing my job. I started arguing with Dadaji as time passed, since I was having hard time at work and home. She heard one such fight I had with him. At that time, I didn’t know Swara and Varun were thrown out by their mother. Varun doesn’t even know that he has a mother. He thinks she is dead.”

(Rags) “Wait, isn’t she dead?”He looked at me dubiously.

(Laksh covering up) “Yeah. She died later. From that day, she barely spoke to anyone except grandpa. I was happy that I didn’t have problems. One day, when I returned back from work, I saw her with grandpa in the library, laughing and smiling. It was then that I noticed that when she first came home, she was laughing and smiling with all. It lightened up the whole place. It was kind of like love at first sight, but not as a lover, but as someone who has to protect something. We were jealous, we thought she had no problems and enjoyed herself having fun, since we brothers had pressure to excel. But after hearing that Deendayal Dadaji made agreement with his friends to let her take his place after she qualified, she had more pressure than all of us to prove and excel.

Though what Deendayal Dadaji did was to secure her future, I know the amount of work and effort one needs to put in to even work at that level in a young age. I was ashamed of myself and guiltier, after knowing I killed her smile at home. Her school life was also not very good. I disregarded the main reason why grandpa brought her here and made her feel the same way she felt with others. I didn’t know what to do to make amends. I started coming home sooner and started talking with her more. She seemed hesitant no matter how much I apologised to her. So on a school day off, I took leave and went with her to amusement park. She refused obviously, but I learnt sometimes when you leave no alternate for her, she assents. It was on that day that she smiled at me from her heart. I began to adore her. She studied in the same university. I felt responsible for her like my little sister. Whenever she got into trouble, I took responsibility for her. She felt culpable for it. She, hence, says she doesn’t want to get me into trouble. Many expected me to marry her after she finished her studies. But she is like a sister to me. I never felt any attraction or jealousy for her. However, Swara still had fears of being unwanted.”

(Rags POV) I guess now I understand why both of them feel closer. Like many, I would doubt their relationship had I not been through the similar feeling with Sanakr but “But why are you telling me this?”

(Rags) He has been telling me all this for Swara? “Oh! Do you tell this to all?”

(Lucky) “Only to those who are worried about our relationship. You looked like you were frustrated about it.”

(Rags) “What?”

(Lucky) “I meant frustrated that Swara was not listening to you. Anyway, I am happy that she found a good person if not the best.” What the! He is talking as if Sanskar is not fit for the princess!

(Rags shouted) “Hey! Don’t talk as if Sanskar is not good for her.”

(Laksh replied calmly) “I didn’t say that.”

Then came Kavya from nowhere. (Kavya is Laksh’s elder sister and has three kids. She is one of important members of Kapoor industries and she is like a mother to Swara though the age difference is less)

(Kavya) “You still go on with your stories, Lucky. You are not a kid anymore and neither is she. You don’t have to prove anyone that she is your sister. If she wasn’t, the moment
she finished her qualification, she would have been married to you. Nevertheless, I am more interested in what you are saying Ms. Singh. You say that Mr. Maheshwari is the best match for her and that too is because she loves him?”

(Rags) “Yes. What is wrong with it?”

(Kavya) “Nothing is wrong. Let’s just hope that your brother will be able to prove that he loves her.” Anyone who heard her would say she said it normally but her eyes threw the challenge. It kind of sent shivers down my spine. She looked all bubbly and cheery in the morning but cold emotions shown in her eyes creeps me out.

(Rags) “Why does he have to prove it?”

(Kavya) “I love Shona. Is there any other reason? She is like my child. She was just a twelve year old kid during my marriage. I felt a need to protect her as she didn’t have a mother. You wouldn’t understand these feelings.” I wouldn’t understand but I understand one thing, these people are obsessed with Swara and each have a reason for it.

(Rags) “I don’t know understand what you are getting at, Mrs.Kavya.”

(Kavya) “Simple. I am going to check if they love each other.”

(Rags) “What are you planning to do?”

(Kavya) “Lucky, she wants me break the suspense. Such a naive girl! Are you sure she is your type? Aren’t sly women your type?” What? What is she saying suddenly?

(Lucky) “Sigh, Didi, the guys have been going on about this. She looks similar to the girls I dated before but she is not even on the same intellectual level as them.” Intellectual level? What an insult! This lady, Kavya didn’t insult me directly, but to take direct insult from Laksh again, I won’t tolerate.

(Rags) “Sorry for not being your type but as you see, I am not interested in you, your highness. (Bowing) If you don’t mind, I am leaving.”

(Rags POV) I walked off from that place. I can’t believe that such people are Swara’s friends! I asked Varun if we could leave, and I had left that place and warned Swara not to invite me in such kind of places where Mr.Kapoor comes.